Amberstorm's claws instinctively unsheathed as she walked through the forest with Echostar, Forestgaze, Mistpelt, Minnowstream, and Crookedtail. The patrol was planning on speaking to Elmstar about setting up borders and where to hold Gatherings. There was only one flaw the tabby was sure of; LeafClan wouldn't be so happy to see them, even with their medicine cat present.

"We're almost there," Echostar called back. "Amberstorm, please hide your claws. We're not here to fight."

Amberstorm opened her mouth to retort, but quickly closed it. He's leader now, she told herself. You have to do what he says.

"You need to be less aggressive," Mistpelt, who had been silently walking near her mewed. "Warriors don't fight with just tooth and claw, you know."

Now Mistpelt was different from the WillowClan leader. "No one asked you for your opinion," she snarled and fluffed out her tail. "And I'm not a wet behind the ears apprentice anymore!"

To Amberstorm's surprise, the seemingly gentle she-cat glared back and drew back her lips. "I'll give my opinion when I feel like it."

The two remained stuck to the ground, their eyes cold and full of hostility. It seemed like moons before there was a yowl from Crookedtail: "Mistpelt, Amberstorm, come on! Now's not the time to be arguing."

"Let's see if I help you when there's a battle," Amberstorm growled.

"If there's a battle," Mistpelt retorted before bounding off.

I hate her! she thought angrily. She thinks she's over everybody... We'll just have to see about that.

-------

The sound of quick pawsteps could be heard as a silver tabby she-cat ran through the forest. Her breath came short and ragged, but she kept the same pace. I have to get out of here before they catch up!

Not far behind the warrior, a tortoiseshell tom and a dark gray tabby with black stripes where in quick pursuit. "We can't let her get away!" the dark warrior hissed.

"I know that," the other cat calmly replied. "Do not worry; she won't make it very far."

"What do you mean?"

"Watch."

The she-cat let out a screech as a dark gray tom crashed into her side. She lay on the ground, slightly dazed, before scrambling to her paws to face her attacker. Her look of determination and anger turned to one of pain and shock. "Crowfeather?!" she exclaimed.

Crowfeather stood there, his blue eyes chips of ice. "What are you doing, trespasser?!"

"Crowfeather, it's me! Feathertail!"

"I know very well who you are!" he snarled. Narrowing his eyes, the former WindClan tom added, "An enemy. That's what you are."

While the two were talking, Feathertail hadn't noticed her other chasers had caught up. "Well done, Crowfeather." the tortoiseshell rumbled.

"Thank you, Sol."

"Who is she?" the tabby growled.

"A StarClan warrior, obviously," Sol mewed dryly.

Feathertail felt her hackles raise as the toms approached her. There's no way I'll be able to get out of this one!

Crowfeather suddenly stood up taller. "Sol, Darkstripe, let me take care of her."

"Why should we let you?!" Darkstripe hissed.

He unsheathed his claws. "Because. I know the best way to make sure she's learned her lesson."

The shadowy warrior was about to protest, but was quickly silenced by Sol. "Let him take care of this," he muttered. "We need to report to Tigerstar and Brokenstar anyways."

Darkstripe glared at Sol, but nodded. "Very well. But don't show any mercy on her!"

Feathertail flinched as Crowfeather's gaze returned to her once the two where gone. "Feathertail, listen," he said quietly. "You have to get out of here. It's dangerous!"

Angry and slightly hurt by the tom's previous hostility, she growled, "Why should I? As a matter of fact, why aren't I tearing your fur to shreds right now?"

Crowfeather met her gaze evenly, but not with hatred this time. "Because you love me," he whispered to the point Feathertail had to strain her ears to hear. "Just as I love you. That's why I couldn't let those two hurt you."

"But...Then...When you..." she stammered for a few seconds longer before taking a deep breath. "Then why were you about to attack me before?"

"I saw that you were being chased by Darkstripe and Sol," he explained. "I couldn't let those fox-hearted cats catch you, so I followed you until I had the chance to stop you. I acted angry so they would leave you alone and not turn me into our so called leaders." he spat out the last word.

"I don't understand," Feathertail whimpered. "If you hate them so much, then why are you here? Why are you on their side? Why do you still love me? Why....Why did you kill your son?" Her voice was rising now. "Why did you do anything you did?!"

Crowfeather hesitated before saying, "Because I lied."

"What do you mean?" The tom didn't answer though. Right after replying, he ran off into the dark, starless forest that he was condemned to walk forever. Feeling helpless, Feathertail got back onto her paws and turned around to return to StarClan, when two cats came crashing out of the brambles.

"Feathertail!" her father, Graystripe, gasped. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she murmured.

"What's wrong?" Silverstream asked.

"Nothing makes sense anymore." She then pushed passed them and walked towards the border, leaving the two cats confused and worried.

-------

"You!" Amberstorm tensed as LeafClan's deputy, Nightfang, hissed and approached the patrol. "What are you all doing this deep in our territory?!"

"We need to speak to Elmstar," Echostar replied. "You may escort us to your camp if you wish."

"There's no need for that," Leafstar appeared out of a bush, the scent of fresh-kill clinging to her pelt.

Echostar bowed his head. "Greetings, Leafstar. And it's Echostar now."

"Oh you're leader? Then that must mean you've formed your own Clan."

"Yes," Amberstorm came up beside Echostar. "We are WillowClan and we need to speak to you about setting up borders."

Leafstar nodded. "I see. And you are the new deputy, I presume?"

The tabby felt her fur grow hot. "No..Crookedtail is."

"Interesting." The leader seemed as if she was trying to get all the information out of the cats as possible. "And how do you want to set up the borders?"

"You know the forest better than us," Echostar reasoned. "I was thinking you could show us the best places to leave scent-markers. Also, we need to find a place to hold a Gathering every moon."

Elmstar paused before answering, "That's seems reasonable. Very well, follow me."

-------

Amberstorm felt a twinge of satisfaction as they walked into WillowClan camp. They had successfully established their borders and explained to Elmstar the basics of a Gathering with only a few protests from Nightfang. They were an official Clan now. Nothing could go wrong.

Just as she thought this, Mistpelt approached her. "I'm surprised you didn't attack those cats," she sneered. "After all, I would expect something from a descendant of your kin."

Immediately, Amberstorm knew what she was talking about. "I am nothing like them," she hissed. "How would you know anyway?"

"Trust me, I know. I know a lot more than you think I know. And after today, thanks to that, I will be your downfall, Amberstorm."